By Joseph Atainyang
President of the Senate of Nigeria, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Thursday reiterated his resolve to work for the common growth and development of the country, saying he was currently serving Nigeria with the same enthusiasm with which he served Akwa Ibom State as governor.
He said as he worked hard as governor, to uplift the people of Akwa Ibom State, so has he committed himself to doing only those things that will uplift the values of Nigerians.
Speaking in Eket, during a stakeholders meeting with leaders of Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District, Senator Akpabio noted that President Tinubu has outlined various policy thrusts to ensure the improvement of lives of citizens.
He noted that as the head of the legislative arm of government, it was important that he galvanized the support of members of the National Assembly to ensure a synergy that would promote peace and progress in the country.
Akpabio noted that the target of democracy was harnessing available resources to better the lives of the masses, adding that President Tinubu was working closely with him to achieve ultimate growth for the nation.
He called on leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to close ranks and work together for the common good of the people.
Speaking to the Executive Director of Project at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Sir Victor Antai, Godswill Akpabio enjoined him and all appointees of the party, to use their privileged offices to serve the interest of the party in the state and beyond.
“You have the entire 12 local government areas to work on. And you have enough resources to carry the people along. I know you don’t eat alone. Let the people feel the impact of APC in Akwa Ibom State”, Akpabio told Antai.
“Is it not when I became governor that the people of Ibeno and Eket knew that they could have hospitals? As your governor, I gave you Akpabio-Mber (the 13th month salary for civil servants), I gave you free education; I sent you on pilgrimage to Jerusalem and to Mecca to pray for the state.
“Those were part of the secrets of uncommon transformation. We assembled the largest choir on earth to sing to the glory of God. That was the event for which the state won the Guinness World Record.
“God has now sent me to Nigeria to do what I did for Akwa Ibom State. They used to call Akwa Ibom State the Land of Promise. But is it not when I became the governor that you started seeing the manifestations of those promises?
“Of course, it was until I became a governor that I built and completed the International Airport, the Leo Meridian Hotels and Golf Resort, among others”, he listed.
He promised the people of the area that more appointments were coming, both from his office as President of the Senate, and directly from the office of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking earlier at the event, the State Chairman of the party, Chief Philip Ntukekpo said it was a delightful opportunity to have the uncommon transformer, himself the pride of Akwa Ibom politics, manning the affairs of the second tier of government.
Philip Ntukekpo who assured Senator Akpabio of the continued support of his partymen, submitted that the people were eager and ready to execute the directives of the Senate President.
Also speaking at the event were the Executive Director Project of NDDC, Hon. Victor Antai; and the spokesperson of the Senate President, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, who both enjoined the people to sustain their support for the APC, as the party was waxing stronger to come out better in 2027.
